Treatment considerations in women with schizophrenia

J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2006 Dec;15(10):1132-40. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2006.15.1132.

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a challenging and complex psychiatric disorder. It is a chronic disorder of thought, affect, and cognition that significantly disturbs the individual's ability to function in society and develop interpersonal relationships. The clinical presentation can be extremely varied, with symptoms including delusional thinking, disorganized thoughts and speech, hallucinatory behavior, and negative symptoms (e.g., blunted affect, avolition, alogia, anhedonia). Approximately 1% of the population is affected by schizophrenia worldwide, and women may experience different symptoms, have a later age of onset, may respond to different treatments, and may be more concerned about specific side effects than men. Women with schizophrenia traditionally have been treated in the same way as men and have generally had poorer comprehensive medical care. With the introduction of many new antipsychotic medications in recent years, this review focuses on sex differences in schizophrenia, with an emphasis on differences in treatment and side effects. Additionally, it presents patient counseling issues in sexuality and health outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Women's Health Services / standards
  • Women's Health*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents